The long, cold winter hiatus is finally over – and network TV is back. Or, well, at least it’s starting to wake up from hibernation. Most notably The CW returns and is chockablock with lesbian/bisexual characters. (Still not Blair and Serena, sadly.) Here’s your list of everything coming out this week.
24 (Fox, 9:00) – Cherry Jones stars as President Taylor.
American Idol (Fox, 8:00) – Ellen DeGeneres & Co. take to the judges table for the top eight female finalists.
90210 (CW, 8:00) – It’s baaaack. And so is guest star Rumor Willis, who shares a kiss with Adrianna (Jessica Lowndes), setting the stage for the show’s first lesbian relationship.
Melrose Place (CW, 9:00) – Bisexual publicist Ella (Kate Cassidy) is gearing up for a back nine showdown with Amanda.
White Collar (USA, 10:00) – Lesbian FBI agent Diana Lancing is back for the season one finale. A nice bookend, since the only other episode she was in was the pilot.
Biggest Loser: Couples (NBC, 8:00) – Jillian Michaels keeps pushing contestants to cry achieve their weight loss goals.
Joan Jett on The Tonight Show (NBC, 11:30) – Even if you don’t forgive NBC for Conangate, it’ll be fun to see Jett talk about the new Runaways movie.
American Idol (CBS, 8:00) – Top eight guys! We’re almost there!
The New Adventures of Old Christine (Fox, 8:00) – Wanda Sykes plays Christine’s BFF.
The Real World: Washington DC (MTV, 10:00) – Hey, did you know Emily dated girls while she was in the TRW house? That’s what she told our Grace Chu in a recent interview. [AfterEllen.com Real World recaps]
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC, 9:00) – Callie and Arizona just try to stay out of the pissing contest going on between Teddy and Owen. Contest judge: Derek, obviously. [AfterEllen.com Grey’s Anatomy recaps]
American Idol (Fox, 9:00) – Results night. Also, just a guess, but we’ll probably see Kris Allen driving a Ford.
Skins (Britain’s E4, 10:00 GMT) – Effy’s out of the hospital and Naomi and Emily are still not on the mend. [AfterEllen.com Skins recaps]
Caprica (SyFy, 9:00) – Bisexual headmistress Clarice Willow befriended Amanda Graystone last week, and even though they didn’t make out (like it looked like they were going to do!), I’m still holding out hope. [AfterElton.com Caprica recaps]
The Wanda Sykes Show (Fox, 11:00) – Wanda is all new with political and social commentary.
Survivors (BBC America, 9:00) – Lesbian doctor Anya continues to mourn the loss of her girlfriend (along with the other gazillion people killed by a worldwide pandemic).
The Amazing Race (CBS, 8:00) – Lesbian couple Carol and Brandy survived another round, and even better: It doesn’t like they’re going to kill each other, after all. [AfterEllen.com Amazing Race recaps]
Desperate Housewives (ABC, 9:00) – Katherine is confused about her feelings for Robin. [AfterEllen.com Desperate Housewives mini-caps]
The Rachel Maddow Show, week nights at 9:00 on MSNBC. [AfterEllen.com’s Rachel Watch]
Issues with Jane Valez-Mitchell, nightly at 7:00 on CNN’s Headline News.
The Suze Orman Show, Saturdays at 5 a.m., 9 p.m., and 12 a.m. on CNBC.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show, daytime weekdays.
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, on DVD Tuesday – Paula Patton plays lesbian teacher Ms. Rain in one of the most celebrated films of the year.
What are you most looking forward to this week?
